ILIGAN CITY (10 April 2020) — The local government unit of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte is preparing for the worst-case scenario as may be caused by the local transmission of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country in light of the potential extension of the enhanced community quarantine measures in the province.
Municipal Mayor Rommel Arnado takes the lead in the construction of an isolation facility should there be symptomatic persons under investigation (PUIs) identified in the area. The facility will be used as temporary shelter for those patients including those who would turn out as positive carriers of the disease while they await processing and medical intervention from the Department of Health (DOH) in Lanao del Norte.
Made out of container vans, this improvised facility is well-painted and fully air conditioned. In a radio interview here Thursday, Arnado announced that the facility will be completed by Friday, April 10.
“We were able to secure container vans from GN Power Kauswagan (GNPK). This Friday, we should be able to complete it and we are thankful to our very active LGU department heads and personnel,” said Arnado.
The local chief executive added that the facility will be of big help to families should a family member shows symptoms.
Once completed, the LGU will submit the facility to the DOH for assessment and accreditation prior to use.
The facility will be able to accommodate up to 8 patients at one time and will be managed by the municipal health office (MHO). This project is the LGU’s counterpart to national efforts and in support and augmentation to the work of the provincial anti-COVID 19 task force of the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte.
According to Arnado, the facility will then be converted into an organic agriculture training center when this public health crisis is soon over. Food sufficiency and sustainability through organic agriculture is one of the priority agenda of Arnado’s administration and the LGU.